What’s the latest on the Stag proposals?
As posted in our last MBCG website news item the Stag Brewery proposals are now going to go to a Planning Inquiry. This is set for dates from 29th May to 11th June.
What’s our position and why are we objecting?
This is a major milestone where we will have our chance to fight the latest proposals at a hearing overseen by an impartial planning Inspector. We have decided to present our best case by engaging specialist planning barristers and to enlist expert witnesses.
What do we need from local residents and the wider community?
Opposing the applications at the Inquiry will require significant funds so we are urging all local residents, businesses and local organisations who wish to assist our cause to dig deep and make a contribution as part of our crowd-funding initiative. We know that times are tight with the cost-of-living pressures but all donations will be help our cause.
How much is needed?
We have been fund-raising over several years to ensure we have the best professional advice to present our case. We did this for the Mayor’s Hearing in 2021 and now plan to do the same again for the Planning Inquiry in May. We have cumulatively raised nearly £28.000 up to now but a further £12,000 is needed to cover the fees of a specialist planning barrister at the Inquiry and for expert witnesses.
Any contributions will be required over the next few weeks to meet the deadlines of the Inquiry.
How do I contribute?
Every contribution no matter how big or small is really appreciated. See the GoFundMe link below.
What next?
We are in the process of selecting and then briefing our legal advisors and will keep you updated with any key news leading up to the Inquiry.
We are also closely liasing with other local groups and societies including MESS, BCA, The Kew Society, the West London River Group, and existing local schools.
The Mayor of London will also be opposing the two planning applications and has raised internal GLA funds of £450,000 to fight the appeal. He is opposed to the woefully low element of affordable housing in the scheme but will also focus on the impact of the proposals on urban design and heritage, transport issues and the sustainability of the scheme related to climate change.
On what basis will we be objection?
Representation to date have covered a wide range of issues. We will take advice from our planning law experts but the key subjects we are likely to focus on are:
- The cumulative scale of the proposals ( Applications A &B combined)
- Resultant Transport Issues and Traffic Chaos
- Heights of Buildings
- Impact & Harms to Heritage and the Riverside / Key Views
- The Secondary School
- Resultant Loss of the Protected Sports Fields
We will raise the serious lack of affordable housing but expect that the Mayor and his weighty team of barristers and viability experts will be better placed and funded to fight this aspect of London Plan Policy.